Release from detention or nonsecure care - Hearing - Conditions of release
N.D. Cent. Code § 27-20.4-09
in effect27-20.4-09. Release from detention or nonsecure care - Hearing - Conditions of
release.
1. If a child is brought before the court or delivered to a detention, attendant care, or
nonsecure care facility designated by the court, the director, the intake officer, or other
authorized officer of the court immediately shall make an investigation and release the
child unless it appears that the child's detention is warranted or required under section
27-20.4-05.
2. Reasonable notice of the release from detention must be provided to any victim as
required by subsection 19 of section 12.1-34-02.
3. If the child is not released, reasonable notice, either oral or written, stating the time,
place, and purpose of the detention or shelter care must be given to the child and, if
able to be found, to the child's parents, guardian, or other custodian. If the child is not
represented by counsel at a proceeding, the court shall inform the child of the right to
counsel, regardless of income. Before the commencement of the hearing, the court
shall inform the child's parents, legal guardian, or custodian of the right to counsel at
public expense at the dispositional stage if the parent, guardian, or custodian applies
and is determined to be indigent and of the child's right to remain silent with respect to
any allegations of delinquent conduct.
a. If the child is not released from detention, a judge or referee shall hold a
detention hearing within twenty-four hours after the time the child is placed in
detention, excluding weekends or legal holidays, to determine whether there is
probable cause to believe the child has committed the delinquent act alleged, and
whether the child's detention is required under section 27-20.4-05. In determining
whether a child requires detention, the court shall consider the results of the
detention screening tool.
b. If the child is not released from attendant care or nonsecure care, a judge or
referee shall hold a hearing promptly and not later than ninety-six hours after the
child is placed in nonsecure care to determine whether there is probable cause to
believe the child has committed a delinquent act and whether the child's shelter
care is required.
4. If the child is not released and a parent, guardian, or custodian has not been notified of
the hearing, did not appear or waive appearance at the hearing, and files an affidavit
showing these facts, the court shall rehear the matter without unnecessary delay and
order the child's release, unless it appears from the hearing that the child's detention is
required under section 27-20.4-05.
5. If the parents cannot be found for the detention or nonsecure care hearing and the
child does not pose a risk to the community and does not need to be detained, the
human service zone is notified and a child in need of protection or shelter care hearing
is held.
6. If it appears that any child being held in detention, attendant care, or shelter care
nonsecure care may have an intellectual or developmental disability, the court or
detention personnel shall refer the child to the department of health and human
services for an eligibility determination for intellectual or developmental disabilities
program management services and a level of care assessment and the results must
be filed with the court upon completion. The department of health and human services
shall provide status updates to the court within the time required by the court.
7. If it appears that any child being held in detention or nonsecure care appears to have a
serious and persistent mental illness, the detention staff or court intake officer shall
request that the court order a diagnostic assessment that includes a recommendation
for necessary level of care that must be conducted within forty-eight hours after the
court's order. The person conducting the diagnostic assessment shall file the results
with the court.
8. If an individual who is or appears to be a child is received at a jail facility or other
facility for the detention of adult offenders or individuals charged with a crime, the
official in charge of the facility immediately shall inform the court and bring the
individual before the court upon request or deliver the individual to a detention or
nonsecure facility designated by the court.
9. If a case is transferred to adult court for criminal prosecution, a child who has not
reached the age of eighteen may not be transferred to an adult jail or correctional
facility, adult lockup, or court holding facility in accordance with the law governing the
detention of persons charged with a crime. A child who has not reached the age of
eighteen may continue to be held in a juvenile detention facility during the pendency of
the criminal prosecution but only as ordered by the court.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t27c20-4.pdf#nameddest=27-20p4-09Fetched: 10/16/2026